Oilfield workers Kurtis Winda and Tyler Krushen are tackling the 2027 Calgary Marathon to challenge the stigma of men suffering in silence within the oil and gas industry. The pair, who launched the social media account Run the Patch, are drawing on their own experiences with long hours, isolation, and addiction to advocate for mental health awareness among fly-in, fly-out workers.
The Strains of the Patch and the Alpha Male Mentality
Working in the oil field presents unique mental health challenges driven by isolation and high-demand environments. Kurtis Winda, who spent 15 years in the oil field, noted that long hours and physical distance from friends and family frequently lead workers to struggle with mental health and addiction.
“They think that they’ve got to hold everything in, and when you’re placed with a bunch of men on one rig or one job site or whatever, it gets worse,” Winda said.
Tyler Krushen started in the patch 12 years ago as a young man, describing the transition as a shock to the system. He began struggling with drugs and alcohol at a young age while adapting to the demanding environment. “I was taught to ‘man up,’ just to hold it in,” Krushen said. “There’s that alpha male mentality on site… and sometimes it gets to you.”
According to a 2021 report, fly-in, fly-out workers in the Alberta oilsands experience poorer mental health than the general population, citing higher rates of work-related stress, relationship strain, and loneliness.
Did you know? A 2021 report revealed that fly-in, fly-out workers in the Alberta oilsands reported higher levels of loneliness, relationship strain, and work-related stress compared to the general population.
Building Community Through Run the Patch
To combat isolation, Winda and Krushen created Run the Patch, a social media initiative on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook that provides a digital space for oilfield workers to share their stories. The founders recently featured former rig hand Ken Kidder in an interview. Kidder founded the counselling clinic Chris’s Place after a friend died by suicide in 2021.
“People really pushed it to the f***, fight and trip pipe to the extreme,” Kidder told the founders. “I did watch a lot of people go down the bad road.”
Krushen acknowledged that putting personal struggles online is difficult, but the response has been validating. “It’s a tough pill to swallow when you put yourself out there, but it’s been pretty cool to have people reach out and thank us for what we’re doing,” Krushen said. Winda added that open vulnerability helps dismantle the expectation that men must suppress their emotions.
Training for the 2027 Calgary Marathon
To further their mission, Winda and Krushen plan to run the 42.2-kilometre Calgary Marathon on May 30, 2027. While Krushen credits endurance sports with helping him turn his life around, Winda admits he does not share the same enthusiasm for running.
“I don’t enjoy running,” Winda said. “I’m excited to watch Curtis suffer,” Krushen joked, before emphasizing the core message of their endeavor. “We’re just your everyday Joe Blows that work in the oil field, and we’re trying to do something special for others and show them that we care and that we want their message to be heard too.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Run the Patch?
Run the Patch is a social media initiative on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook started by oilfield workers Kurtis Winda and Tyler Krushen to raise awareness for men’s mental health in the oil and gas industry.
When are the founders running the marathon?
Winda and Krushen are scheduled to run the 2027 Calgary Marathon on May 30, 2027.
What mental health challenges do oilfield workers face?
According to a 2021 report, fly-in, fly-out workers in the Alberta oilsands experience higher rates of loneliness, relationship strain, and work-related stress compared to the general population.
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Have you or someone you know experienced mental health challenges in the trades? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or explore our other mental health and community reporting.
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